The 545th Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge No. 1, F. & A.M. was held at the Masonic Temple located at 77-12 Honmoku Midorigaoka, Naka-ku, Yokohama on the 12th day of May 2007. (S. Disp #4-07)
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 13:15 hours with WB Masaki, PM, WM in the East, WB Buda, PM, SW in the West, and WB Herrera, PM, JW in the South.
WB Masaki recognized the Distinguished Brethren as listed in the Tyler’s register of this date.
He then announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of April 2007, the first order of business would be the reading of the minutes of our last Stated Meeting and all subsequent Special Meetings. The Secretary read the minutes of the Monthly Meeting held on 7th April and they were APPROVED AS READ.
The Treasurer gave his report for the month of April, after which he moved and it was seconded that the report be accepted as read subject to the usual audit. MOTION CARRIED.
The Secretary then read the bills for the period after which he moved and it was seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees: All committee reports were negative with the exception of the following:
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: The Secretary read a Petition for the Degrees of Freemasonry from Mr. TAMADO, Yasushi, caregiver of Nerima-ku, Tokyo.
BALLOTTING: The WM of the Lodge reported that the Committee of Investigation had submitted a favorable report on the petition of Mr. SUZUKI, Koji. He was then elected to receive the Degrees of Masonry in this Lodge by ballot of the members present.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary announced that the G/L Bulletins and Minutes of the GLECM of 20 April had been tacked on the Bulletin Board in the conference room. He also introduced a letter from the GM which stated that the GLECM will be open for all MMs as observers for a 3 months trial.
CHARITY: An amount of ¥5,890+$1.05 was collected from the Brethren present.
JUNE MEETING: The Stated Meeting was scheduled for June 2 and the Secretary explained to the Brethren present that we have one FC, three EAs and three balloted candidates waiting in line. After due discussion, the WM decided that the 2 candidates will be initiated at our June Meeting and the 2 FCs will be passed in either June or July at a Special Meeting.
50 YEARS ANNIVERSARY: Bro Hudson will celebrate his 50 years anniversary on May 18 and a letter, pin and check are ready to be posted, the Secretary reported.
LODGE OF INSTRUCTION: held on 28 April, the last Saturday of April, but only 3 Brethren got together. This was not a suitable day to meet since this was a very first day of the Golden Week holidays. However, a part of the 3rd degree conferral was rehearsed in preparation for the next meeting in May.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS:
EA LODGE OPENED: At 14:15 hours, the Lodge was lowered to the First Degree for the purpose of a proficiency test upon Bro Tatara, EA. The Junior Deacon invited him into the Lodge, where he was placed West of Altar and examined by MWB Watanabe. The WM of this Lodge declared him proficient in the First Degree.
SECOND DEGREE: The Lodge resumed to the Second Degree and Bros Ogawa and Honda were examined in their FC proficiency by MWB Watanabe. The WM of this Lodge declared them proficient in the Second Degree.
THIRD DEGREE CONFERAL: After the Lodge resumed work in the Third Degree at 14:30 hours, Bros Ogawa and Honda gave 3 distinct knocks at the door at 14:50 hours and were admitted. They were obligated MMs by WB Masaki. The Working Tool Lecture was given by Bro Wachi in Japanese.
At 15:20 hours, the Lodge was called briefly free from restraint for the purpose of preparing the Tragedy for our newly obligated Brethren.
At 15:35 Bro Ogawa was invited into the Lodge and participated in the short form of Tragedy with MWB Watanabe as King Solomon and WB Masaki as Hiram of Tire. At 15:50, Bro Honda was invited into the Lodge and received the long form of the MM tragedy with the same positions as in the previous ceremony. At 16:35, the Lodge was called free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating our newly raised Brethren. The Degree Lecture was started at 16:45 hours by MWB Katagiri, PGM in Japanese and the Charge was delivered by WB Masaki. Upon the completion of the Charge at around 17:45, the newly obligated Brethren were invited to the Secretary's desk to sign their names on the Lodge’s By-Laws. They were presented with Masonic Bibles, monitors in both English and Japanese versions, white leather Aprons and the By-Laws of the Lodge at the altar by the Worshipful Master assisted by the Secretary.
CLOSING:
At around 17:55, the WM announced he would proceed to close in short form. Peace and harmony prevailing, this Lodge was closed at 18:05 hours with WB Masaki, PM, WM in the East, WB Buda, PM, SW in the West, and WB Herrera, PM, JW in the South.
The Secretary reported that regrets had been received from Bros Tsuruyiannis, Jackson and Tei.
There were 16 brethren present (including one EA).
APPROVED:
TAKUMI MASAKI, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary